Abstract

The performance of F, hybrids involving 10 varieties of sesame was studied to, investigate heterosis for seed yield and eight other component characters. The mid- parent and better parent heterosis for seed yield ranged from-16.75 to 105 70 and 34 99 to 60 27% respectively. The hybrid JT 66-173 x SH 50 and T 12 x 'SH 62 exhibited the maximum heterosis for seed yield, the values for which were 105.76 and 60.27% respectively. The heterosis for seed yield appeared to be due to high manifestation of heterosis for number of capsules plant which in turn was due to additive action of number of primary branches and secondary branches. Since majority of hyrbids showed inbreed- ing depression in F2t it suggested that the heterosis should be exploited in the F itself.

Keywords: